Fitness equipment

ABSTRACT

Fitness equipment for use in an outdoor prison environment which includes frame and arm assemblies manufactured from hollow steel members that are hot-dipped galvanized, both externally and internally, and are welded together and capped. The fitness equipment further includes a fixed weight stack assembly that includes control rods, weight plates slidably mounted on the control rods, a base assembly and a yoke and collar assembly which precludes removal of the weight plates. Moving parts of the fitness equipment, such as pivotal attachments or the areas where control rods slide within the yoke and collar assembly, include self-lubricating elements such as high speed bearings with grease fittings or oil-light bushings. The fitness equipment may also include a seat assembly or deck assembly. The various assemblies of the fitness equipment are designed to be manufactured as component parts which may be assembled to create various forms of fitness equipment including a bench press, an arm curl shoulder raise, a shoulder press, a squat machine, a tricep press and a lat pull down.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/229434 filed Aug. 31, 2000, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to fitness equipment which has particularapplication for use in outdoor exercise areas and, more specifically,within correctional facilities. The invention also relates to a methodfor manufacturing this same fitness equipment in component andinterchangeable assemblies so that different forms of fitness equipmentcan be assembled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to fitness equipment, and morespecifically to durable equipment which is designed for outdoor use in aprison or correctional facility.

[0004] A variety of fitness equipment designs have been disclosed andhave appeared on the market. In prison or correctional facilities, theuse has been made of fitness equipment, primarily in outdoor areas, toprovide prisoners with an outlet for constructive physical activity.Such fitness equipment has primarily involved the use of free weights.However, recent correctional facility regulations have prohibited theuse of free weights because of safety concerns. Alternative forms offitness equipment, using an adjustable stack of weight plates—such as,for example, Universal® fitness equipment—also pose safety problemsbecause of detachable components such as cables, pulleys, chains, rods,pins, plates, etc. Present forms of fitness equipment also pose safetyproblems in a prison setting to the extent they have open frame orhandle members in which contraband might be hidden. Further safetyissues arise where fitness equipment is used outdoors in a correctionalsetting, insofar as weather conditions detrimentally impact both thestructural members of the equipment and its moving parts. In the latterrespect, lubrication is needed for the moving parts associated withfixed weight fitness equipment. However, prison regulations oftenprohibit or caution against the use of aerosol or hand heldlubricants—again, for safety reasons. Accordingly, in the prisonsetting, a present need exists for fitness equipment which (i) issuitable for outdoor use, and (ii) does not pose safety problems.

[0005] It is the object of the present invention, therefore, to providedurable fitness equipment which is suitable for use within a prison orcorrectional facility and which (i) addresses the safety issuesattendant to such use, and (ii) also is suitable for use in an outdoorenvironment. In general, the fitness equipment of the present inventionemploys a frame assembly to which an arm assembly is pivotally attached,and a fixed weight stack assembly which is attached pivotally to boththe frame and arm assemblies. The component parts are designed to bemanufactured separate and apart from one another and, with somevariation on frame and arm assemblies, can be assembled to form at leastsix types of fitness equipment, including bench press, arm curl shoulderraise, shoulder press, squat machine, tricep press and lat pull downforms of fitness equipment. Other forms of fitness equipment, utilizingthe elements and embodiments of this invention, are also possible.

[0006] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the need for sturdyfitness equipment, in a prison setting, to be adaptable for use in anoutdoor environment is addressed through a number of elements, each ofwhich may be used alone or in combination with other elements.

[0007] According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention,constituent members of the fitness equipment are constructed fromweather and corrosion resistant metal. Preferably, exposed frame andseat or bench assemblies are fabricated from steel, welded together andthen, as a completed assembly, are hot-dipped galvanized—both externallyand internally—and are, accordingly, suitable for outdoor use. In apreferred embodiment, the hop-dip galvanizing process conforms to therequirements of ASTM A-123. Other elements of the fitness equipment ofthe present invention which are associated with moving parts—such aspivot and control rods associated with the arm and fixed weight stackassemblies, respectively—have a stainless steel composition whichresists corrosion problems associated with outdoor use of the fitnessequipment, but also allows for ease of movement along these rods.

[0008] Balancing safety concerns with the need to have fitness equipmentsuitable for outdoor use, the fitness equipment of the present inventionalso employs, in another preferred embodiment, self lubricating,oil-light, bushings in connection with fixed weight stack assemblies.Elsewhere, where pivot rods are used to pivotally attach arm and frameassemblies, and also to pivotally attach the fixed weight stack assemblyto both arm and frame assemblies, high speed bearings, with greasefittings, are utilized to reduce the need for constant lubrication.Collectively, these elements of the fitness equipment of the presentinvention address safety concerns attendant to the use of aerosol orhand held lubricants on a constant basis.

[0009] Seat assemblies include an upper cushion surface, on which a userof the fitness equipment would sit and which are comprised of aweather-resistant and durable hard rubber. Also in deference to safetyconcerns, in a preferred embodiment, the hard rubber also precludes theability of an inmate user to hide weapons or contraband in the cushionsurface.

[0010] In certain forms of the fitness equipment of the presentinvention, where the user is standing while weight lifting, the fitnessequipment may also include a deck assembly which provides a level,relatively moisture free surface for the user.

[0011] Other embodiments of the invention address the safety needs whichpresent themselves in connection with fitness equipment that it intendedfor prison or correctional facility usage. These embodiments includefurther elements and components of the present which can be usedseparately or with other elements, as described below.

[0012] The fitness equipment of the present invention, in a preferredembodiment, does not utilize detachable cables, pulleys, chains, rods,pins, plates or other objects. This aspect of the present invention hasparticular application to the fixed weight stack assembly. Morespecifically, control rods are bolted to the base of the fixed weightstack assembly to prevent removal, and a yoke and collar assembly at theupper end of the fixed weight stack assembly is bolted in place, througha nylon-lock nut and bolt assembly, to prevent removal of weight plates.Further, the adjusting pin, which allows different weights to beselected in the fixed weight stack assembly, is attached to thisassembly by a non-removable metal cable. Similarly, the pivot rod whichassists the pivotal attachment of the arm assembly to the frame assemblyis bolted, through a nylon-lock nut and bolt assembly, to the armassembly.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frame andarm assemblies are comprised of hollow metal members in deference tocost and weight concerns. To prevent openings at the ends of thesemembers from being used to hide contraband, all exposed ends of thesemembers are capped and welded. For the same reason, seat cushions arecomprised of hard rubber.

[0014] The frame and seat assemblies in a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention include foot plates which allow the fitness equipmentto be bolted down to a surface area.

[0015] Many attachments of the members of various of the assemblies inthe fitness equipment of the present invention are, in a preferredembodiment, made by nylon-lock nut and bolt assemblies. These assembliescan also be welded to prevent removal of portions of the fitnessequipment.

[0016] As discussed above, in a preferred embodiment, moveable partswithin the fitness equipment of the present invention include eitherself-lubricating bushings or high speed bearings, with grease fittings,which require little to no lubrication maintenance and therefore reducethe use of aerosol and hand-held lubricants.

[0017] Finally, in another preferred embodiment of the invention, thefitness equipment is comprised of members, including frame assemblies,arm assemblies and the fixed weight stack assembly, which areinterchangeable among the different forms of fitness equipment. As such,the fitness equipment of the present invention can be manufactured incomponent assemblies which can be transported to a correctional orprison setting location and assembled on site in different forms offitness equipment. Additionally, these interchangeable componentassemblies allow these parts to be reassembled to provide differentforms of fitness equipment over the course of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a side, elevational view of fitness equipment in thenature of a bench press according to the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a side, elevational view of fitness equipment in thenature of an arm curl shoulder raise according to the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a side, elevational view of fitness equipment in theform of a shoulder press according to the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a side, elevational view of fitness equipment in theform of a squat machine according to the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a side, elevational view of fitness equipment in theform of a tricep press according to the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 6 is a side, elevational view of fitness equipment in theform of a lat pull down according to the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 7 is a side, elevational view of a squat platform base whichis depicted with the squat machine in FIG. 4.

[0025]FIG. 8 is an front, elevational view of the fixed weight stackassembly utilized in connection with the fitness equipment of thepresent invention.

[0026]FIG. 9 is a telescoping, cut away view of the fixed weight stackassembly of the fitness equipment of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 10 is a side view of the adjustable pin which is utilized inconnection with the fixed weight stack assembly of the fitness equipmentof the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 11 is a side, elevational view of a frame assembly utilizedin connection with the fitness equipment of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 12 is a side, elevational view of a frame assembly utilizedin connection with the fitness equipment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 13 is a top view of an arm assembly utilized in connectionwith the fitness equipment of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 13A is a top view of the arm assembly depicted in FIG. 13,together with attached press handles.

[0032]FIG. 13B is a top view of the arm assembly depicted in FIG. 13,with an attached press rod.

[0033]FIG. 14 is a top view of another arm assembly of the fitnessequipment of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 15 is a front view of a pivot arm utilized in connection withthe fitness equipment of the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 16 is a side, elevational view of a bench assembly utilizedin connection with the fitness equipment of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 17 is a side, elevational view of a seat assembly utilized inconnection with the fitness equipment of the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 18 is a side, elevational view of another seat assemblyutilized in connection with the fitness equipment of the presentinvention.

[0038]FIG. 19 is a side, elevational view of a base assembly utilized inconnection with the fitness equipment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] The novel elements of the fitness equipment of the presentinvention can be more readily understood in reference to FIG. 1, whichdepicts bench press 10 as one form of the fitness equipment of thepresent invention. Bench press 10 is comprised of a frame assembly 11,an arm assembly 12, a bench assembly 13 and a fixed weight stackassembly 14. Arm assembly 12 is pivotally attached to frame assembly 11by pivot rod 15. Both frame assembly 11 and arm assembly 12 arecomprised of hollow metal members. Preferably, frame assembly 11 and armassembly 12 are formed and welded together from hollow steel members.The completed assemblies are then hot-dipped galvanized—both externallyand internally. This composition provides weather and corrosionresistant qualities to the frame and arm assemblies. Exposed ends of theframe and arm assembles, such as arm assembly ends 12 a and 12 b, arecapped and welded to preclude openings in the fitness equipment in whichcontraband might be hidden. In bench press 10, arm assembly 12 furtherincludes press handles 16 which provide a user of bench press 10 with aplace to grip arm assembly 12 while in use. Press handles 16 arepreferably comprised of a solid rod, most preferably one inch indiameter, which also avoids any open ends. Additionally, press handles16, which run through pre-cut holes in arm assembly 12, are weldedinternally to arm assembly 16 before ends 12 a and 12 b are capped andwelded and are further welded externally to prevent the removal of presshandles 16 from the fitness equipment. In an alternative embodiment, asshown in FIG. 13A, press handles 16 only extend internally from armassembly 12 and toward the user.

[0040] The pivotal connection of arm assembly 12 to frame assembly 11 isfacilitated by pivot rod 15, which runs internally through the length ofarm assembly member 30 and passes beyond both ends of member 30. Pivotrod is preferably comprised of stainless steel, which provides weatherand corrosion resistance and also assists smooth rotational movement ofpivot rod 15 within flanged bearings 31 a and 31 b, as described furtherbelow. Pivot rod 15 is bolted to member 30 by nylon-lock nut and boltassembly 32, which prevents easy removal of the pivot rod. The ends ofpivot rod 15 insert into flanged bearings 31 a and 31 b, which, in turn,are attached by nylon-lock nut and bolt assemblies to frame assembly 11.In a preferred embodiment, flanged bearings 31 a and 31 b are high speedbearings with grease fittings which greatly reduce the need for anylubrication maintenance of these bearings, and, as such, address safetyconcerns which arise in prison settings in respect to the use of aerosoland hand-held lubricants.

[0041] Bench assembly 13 is comprised of support members 23 and 24, seatframe 17 and an upper surface cushion 18. Support members 23 and 24 andseat frame 17 are preferably constructed and assembled together fromsteel members and then hot-dipped galvanized. Surface cushion 18 ispreferably comprised of a weather resistant, hard rubber. Surfacecushion 18 is attached to seat frame 17 by a nylon-lock nut and boltassembly, with stainless nut and bolt assemblies 33 depicted in FIG. 1.Bench assembly 13 attaches to frame assembly 11, by nut and boltassemblies 34, at horizontal front frame members 19 and 20. Nut and boltassemblies 34, along with other similar nut and bolt assemblies in thefitness equipment, in general, are preferably nylon-lock nuts whichcannot be removed by hand. Nut and bolt assemblies can also be welded,if desired for safety reasons, or can be left in a removable state,through tool use, so that bench assembly 13 can be detached from frameassembly 11. Bench assembly 13 is depicted as a separate unit in FIG.16.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1, 8 and 9, fixed weight stack assembly 14 iscomprised of:

[0043] a. Two control rods 21 a and 2lb;

[0044] b. A base assembly 35, to which control rods 21 a and 21 b areattached by nylon-lock nut and bolt assemblies. Base assembly 35 ispivotally attached, by pivot rods 37 a and 37 b, to pillow blockbearings 38 a and 38 b. These pillow block bearings are, in turn,bolted, by nylon-lock nut and bolt assemblies, to front horizontal framemember 19 of frame assembly 11.

[0045] c. Yoke and collar assembly 90, through which control rods 21 aand 21 b pass. Yoke and collar assembly 90 is pivotally attached, bypivot rods 91 a and 91 b, to flanged bearings 92 a and 92 b, which, inturn, are attached by nylon-lock nut and bolt assemblies to arm assembly12.

[0046] d. A plurality of adjustable weight plates 22, through which passcontrol rods 21 a and 21 b and horizontal stack member 94 of yoke andcollar assembly 90.

[0047] e. Adjustable pin 96, which passes through holes in both weightplates 22 and horizontal stack member 94 in order to allow the user theadjust the weight being lifted through operation of the fitnessequipment and, in particular, upward movement of arm assembly 12.

[0048] During this use of the fitness equipment (as embodied in benchpress 10), and corresponding upward travel of yoke and collar assembly90 (together with selected weight plates 22), control rods 21 a and 21 bare fixed vertically. However, both the base assembly 35 and the yokeand collar assembly 90 pivot as arm assembly 12 rotates upward alongpivot rod 15. To assist the vertical slide of yoke and collar assembly90 along control rods 21 a and 21 b, the fitness equipment of thepresent invention, in a preferred embodiment, employs self-lubricating,oil impregnated (or oil light) bushings 97 a and 97 b along the internalpathways within lubricating collar 100. Bushings 97 a and 97 b are gluedwithin collar 100, preferably by lock tight metal glue, and releaselubrication in collar 100 when subject to heat and friction. Collar 100is welded onto the top of yoke and collar assembly 90. Thus, like thehigh speed bearings, with grease fittings, which are utilized inconnection with flanged bearings 31 a and 31 b, bushings 97 a and 97 baddress safety issues by precluding the need for constant lubricationmaintenance.

[0049] Further, for the same reasons and like flanged bearings 31 a and31 b, both flanged bearings 92 a and 92 b and pillow block bearings 38 aand 38 b are also preferably comprised of high speed bearings, withgrease fittings.

[0050] The fixed weight stack assembly of the present invention improveson existing art by specifically adapting the fixed weight stack assemblyfor use in a prison setting, where safety concerns dictate againstremovable parts that can be used as weapons or contraband. Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, the pivot rods 37 a and 37 b, 91 a and 91 b associatedwith base assembly 35 and yoke and collar assembly 90, respectively, arewelded into hollow, metal blocks 98. Blocks 98 are, in turn, welded intobase assembly 35 and yoke and collar assembly 90 so that the pivot rods37 a and 37 b cannot be easily removed. Through this construction, pivotrods do not need to pass through the internal length of either baseassembly 35 or yoke and collar assembly 90. Further, as discussed above,control rods 21 a and 21 b are bolted, by nylon-lock nut and boltassemblies, to base assembly 35. In addition, horizontal stack member 94of yoke and collar assembly 90 is bolted and welded to flanges 99 of topguide plate 100, which secures the weight plates 22 below top guideplate 100. Stem 26 is welded connected downward from top guide plate 100and provides an internal anchor post for receipt of adjustable pin 96.Similarly, collar plate 102 encircles the top of control rods 21 a and21 b. Specifically, washers 102 a and 102 b are welded around the topsof the control rods, so as to fix collar plate 102 within these washers.Collar plate 102 has holes within it, through which control rods 21 aand 21 b pass. The diameter of the holes in collar plate 102 are largerthan that of control rods 21 a and 21 b so that the control rods canmove in respect to each other as the equipment is operated. Collar plate102 prevents users from easily bending the control rods. Further,control rods 21 a and 21 b are of sufficient height so that, even with afull upward movement of arm assembly 12, fixed weight stack assembly 14will not pass beyond the control rods. Finally, adjustable pin 96 isattached by a metal cable to fixed weight assembly 14. Referring toFIGS. 1, 8, 9 and 10, adjustable pin 96 is welded to a nut 103, thoughwhich a metal cable 104 is looped and permanently fixed by a compressionsleeve 106. Preferably, metal cable 104 is comprised of zinc-coatedaircraft cable (aircraft cable is a nylon-coated steel cable). At theopposite end of metal cable 104, a larger loop 105 is formed from thecable, which is also permanently fixed by a compression sleeve 106. Loop105 passes around horizontal stack member 94 before it is inserted intoweight plates 22 and bolted and welded to stack plate 100; thus,securing adjustable pin 96 to the fitness equipment.

[0051] Concerns for weather and corrosion resistance are addressed, inrespect to fixed weight stack assembly 14, through use of a stainlesssteel composition for control rods 21 a and 21 b, pivot rods 37 a, 37 b,91 a and 91 b, base assembly 35 and yoke and collar assembly 90.

[0052] Safety issues can be further addressed, generally, in the fitnessequipment of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, throughuse of foot plates 27 which are welded onto the lower members of frameassembly 11 and bench assembly 18 in bench press 10 in FIG. 1. Footplates 27 may, in turn, be bolted to a ground surface so that thefitness equipment of the present invention cannot be easily moved in itsentirety.

[0053]FIG. 2 depicts the same general elements of a preferred embodimentof the fitness equipment of the present invention as employed inconnection with an arm curl shoulder raise 40. Arm curl shoulder raise40 is comprised generally of frame assembly 11 (which is the same frameassembly utilized with bench press 10; arm assembly 12 (which is alsothe same arm assembly utilized with bench press 10); fixed weight stackassembly 14 (also the same as the weight stack assembly employed inbench press 10); and pivot arm assembly 41.

[0054] Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 15, pivot arm assembly 41,which substitutes for the press handles of bench press 10, is comprisedof arm rod 42 which is welded to support members 43, and support members43 are, in turn, pivotally attached to arm assembly 12 by pivot rods 44.More specifically, pivot rods 44 are welded to support members 43, passthrough openings in arm assembly 12 and are attached thereto by shaftcollars 45 in such a manner that pivot rods 44 can rotate within armassembly 12. Arm rod 42 can rotate within support members 43. Arm rod42, in a preferred embodiment, has a external metal tube 47 around it,which is gripped by the user. Tube 47 has an internal bushing androtates around arm rod 42 as the equipment is used. Pivot arm assembly41 is preferably comprised of stainless steel.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 3, the same general elements of a preferredembodiment of the fitness equipment of the present invention are shownas utilized in the form of a shoulder press 50. Shoulder press 50 iscomprised generally of frame assembly 11 (which is the same frameassembly utilized with bench press 10; arm assembly 12 (which is alsothe same arm assembly utilized with bench press 10); fixed weight stackassembly 14 (also the same as the weight stack assembly employed inbench press 10; and seat assembly 41. Arm assembly 12 employs the samepress handles 16 which are used with bench press 10. Seat assembly 41attaches, preferably by nylon-lock nut and bolt assemblies, to the fronthorizontal members 19 and 20 of frame assembly 11.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 17, seat assembly 41 is comprised ofsupport members 51 and 52, seat frame 53 and an upper surface cushion54. Like bench assembly 13, support members 51 and 52 and seat frame 53are assembled and then subject to a hot dip galvanizing process; whilesurface cushion 54 is preferably comprised of a weather-resistant hardrubber. Surface cushion 54 is attached to seat frame 53 by nut and boltassemblies 55. Seat assembly 41 attaches to frame assembly 11, bynylon-lock nut and bolt assemblies, at horizontal front frame members 19and 20. These nut and bolt assemblies can be welded, if desired forsafety reasons, or can be left in a tool-removable state so that seatassembly 41 can be detached from frame assembly 11.

[0057]FIG. 4 depicts a further form of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention in the nature of a squat machine 60. Squat machine 60is comprised generally of frame assembly 11 (which is the same frameassembly utilized with bench press 10; arm assembly 12 (which is alsothe same arm assembly utilized with bench press 10); fixed weight stackassembly 14 (also the same as the weight stack assembly employed inbench press 10; and platform assembly 61. Distinct from bench press 10,arm assembly 12 in squat machine 51 employs a handle rod 62 for the userto grip and rest across the user's shoulders (the external ends ofhandle rod 62 are again optional). Like press handles 16, though, handlerod is welded both internally and externally to arm assembly 12.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, platform assembly 61, in a preferredembodiment, is comprised of a rectangular base frame 63, an upper metalmesh surface 64, cross supports 65 and attachment assembly 66. Baseframe 63, cross supports 65 and attachment assembly 66 are preferablyassembled from hollow metal members and then, after attachment, bywelding of mesh surface 64, are hot-dipped galvanized. Mesh surface 64is preferably made of expanded metal mesh having a gauge measurement of¾×9 has been found to provide suitable flat service support to a user ofplatform assembly, while also allowing water and moisture to passthrough the mesh. Thus, where squat machine 60 is utilized in outdoorconditions and is placed directly on a ground surface, base platform 61allows a user to stand on a flat and relatively dry surface.

[0059] Platform assembly 61 attaches to frame assembly 11 through use ofnylon-lock nut and bolt assemblies in tabs 67 of attachment assembly 66.Platform assembly 61 can be utilized with other forms of the fitnessequipment of the present invention where a user stands while operatingthe equipment—such as with arm curl shoulder raise 40.

[0060]FIG. 5 depicts an additional variation of the fitness equipment ofthe present invention in the form of tricep press 70. Tricep press 70 iscomprised of frame assembly 71 (which differs from frame assembly 11),arm assembly 72 (which differs from arm assembly 12), fixed weight stackassembly 14 and support assembly 73. In tricep press 70, arm assembly 72pivotally attaches to the front vertical members 74 and 75 of the frameassembly 71, through a pivot rod 15 and flanged bearings 31 a and 31 b.At the rear of arm assembly 72, arm assembly 72 pivotally attaches tothe yoke and collar assembly of fixed weight stack assembly 14 throughpivot rods 91 a and 91 b and flanged bearings 38 a and 38 b (asotherwise shown in FIG. 1). These pivotal attachments of arm assembly 72to both frame assembly 71 and fixed weight stack assembly 14 work in thesame manner as those associated with bench press 10. Further, in apreferred embodiment, frame assembly 71 and arm assembly 72 have thesame structure and composition as frame assembly 11 and arm assembly 12.Arm assembly 72 further comprises a pivot rod assembly 41.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 19, support assembly 73 provides support andstability to tricep press 70. Support assembly is comprised of hollowsteel members which are welded together and then hot-dipped galvanized.Support assembly attaches by nylon-lock nut and bolt assemblies to thebase of frame assembly 71. Support assembly can be used interchangeablywith platform assembly 61.

[0062]FIG. 6 depicts an additional variation of the fitness equipment ofthe present invention in the form of lat pull down 80. Tricep press 70is comprised of frame assembly 71 (which is the same as that used intricep press 60), arm assembly 72 (also used in tricep press 60), fixedweight stack assembly 14 and seat assembly 81. Arm assembly 72 furtherincludes pivot rod assembly 41. As such, lat pull down 70 is constructedand functions similar to tricep press 60.

[0063] Lat pull down 70 differs from tricep press 60 in respect to seatassembly 81. Referring to both FIGS. 6 and 18, seat assembly 81 isconstructed similar to bench assembly 13. Seat assembly 81 is comprisedof support members 82, 82 a, 83, 84 and 85, seat frame 86 and an uppersurface cushion 87. Support members 82, 83, 84 and 85 are preferablycomprised hollow steel members and member 82 a is a solid steel rod.After assembly of these members, they are hot-dip galvanized (internallyand externally). Surface cushion 87 is preferably comprised of a weatherresistant hard rubber. Surface cushion 87 is attached to seat frame 86by a stainless nut and bolt assemblies 88. Seat assembly 81 attaches toframe assembly 71, by nylon-lock nut and bolt assemblies, at horizontalfront frame members 89 and 90. These nut and bolt assemblies can bewelded, if desired for safety reasons, or can be left in a removablestate so that seat assembly 81 can be detached from frame assembly 71.

[0064] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention,certain frame, arm, fixed weight stack and platform or base assembliesare designed to be interchangeable within varying forms of the fitnessequipment. Accordingly, the present invention contemplates a method ofmanufacture of fitness equipment where frame, arm, bench, seat, fixedweight stack and platform or base assemblies are manufactured asseparate assemblies, subjected to a hot-dip galvanizing process and thencombined, assembled and attached to one another to create differentforms of fitness equipment within the embodiments of the present.

[0065] More specifically, referring generally to FIGS. 1-6 and 8, thesame fixed weight stack assembly can be utilized and is interchangeablewith each of the forms of the fitness equipment, including the benchpress, arm curl shoulder raise, shoulder press, squat machine, triceppress and lat pull down forms of fitness equipment.

[0066] Similarly, referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 11, frame assembly 11 canbe utilized and is interchangeable with the bench press, arm curlshoulder raise, shoulder press and squat machine forms of fitnessequipment. Base plates 110 are welded onto frame assembly 11, with baseplates providing a platform base, for attachment by nylon-lock nut andbolt assemblies, of base assembly 35. Frame assembly members 19 and 20each have two front holes, 19 a and 19 b and 20 a and 20 b,respectively, to receive bolt connections which allow for attachment ofeither base assembly 13, seat assembly 41, platform assembly 61 orsupport assembly 73. Vertical members 112 and 113 of frame assembly 11contain holes 112 a, 112 b, 113 a and 113 b, respectively, through whichflanged bearings 31 a and 31 b are attached, by a nylon-lock nut andbolt assembly, to frame assembly 11. Likewise, referring to FIGS. 5, 6and 12, frame assembly 71 can be utilized and is interchangeable withthe tricep press and lat pull down forms of the present invention. Frameassembly 71 contains base plates 110, foot plates 27 and connectingholes 74 a and 74 b, 75 a and 75 b, 19 a and 19 b, and 20 a and 20 b inmembers 74, 75, 19 and 20, respectively, of frame assembly 71, whichfunction in the same manner as similar features in frame assembly 11.

[0067] Arm assemblies in the fitness equipment of the present inventionare also interchangeable. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 1-4, 13, 13Aand 13B, arm assembly 12 is utilized and is interchangeable with thebench press, arm curl shoulder raise, shoulder press and squat machineforms of fitness equipment. As discussed above, the bench press 10 andshoulder press 50 utilize arm assembly 12 with press handles 16, asdepicted in FIG. 13A. Alternatively, pivot rod assembly 41 may be usedwith arm assembly 12, as shown in arm curl shoulder raise 40. Finally,arm assembly 12 may employ a handle rod 62, as shown in FIG. 13B. In allof these applications, member 30 of arm assembly 12 contains side holes120 a and 120 b, through which pivot rod 15 passes. Arm assembly 12 alsocontains side holes 121 a and 121 b, though which nylon-lock nut andbolt assemblies pass to attach flanged bearings 92 a and 92 b. Presshandles 16, pivot rod assembly 41 and handle rod 62 attach to armassembly 12 through holes 122 a and 122 b.

[0068] Similarly, referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 14, arm assembly 72 may beused with tricep press 70 and lat pull down 80. In this context, pivotrod assembly 41 is preferably used with arm assembly 72 in both of theseforms of the preferred embodiment of the fitness equipment of thepresent invention. Arm assembly 72, similar to arm assembly 12, hasholes 122 a and 122 b which allow for attachment of pivot rod assembly41. Additionally, arm assembly 72 has side holes 130 a and 130 b,through which pivot rod 15 passes. As in arm assembly 12, pivot rod 15passes internally through cross member 131 and is bolted through hole132. Arm assembly 72 also has side holes 133 a and 133 b, thought whichnylon-lock nut and bolt assemblies attach flanged bearings 92 a and 92 bto arm assembly 72.

1. Fitness equipment for use in an outdoor prison environment, saidfitness equipment comprising: a. A frame comprised of (i) hollow steelmembers that are hot-dipped galvanized both externally and internallyand are welded together, and (ii) caps which are welded onto the exposedends of said frame members; b. An arm assembly comprised of (i) hollowsteel members that are hot-dipped galvanized both externally andinternally and are welded together and, (ii) caps which are welded ontothe exposed ends of said frame members; said arm assembly connected tosaid frame assembly by a pivot rod bolted to said arm assembly andpivotally attached to said frame assembly through use ofself-lubricating fittings; and c. A fixed weight stack assemblycomprised of (i) a plurality of stainless steel control rods, (ii) aplurality of weight plates slidably mounted on said control rods, (iii)a base assembly bolted to said control rods and pivotally attached bypivot rods to said frame assembly through use of self-lubricatingfittings, (iv) a yoke and collar assembly through which said controlrods pass and that is pivotally attached by pivot rods to said armassembly through use of self-lubricating fittings, said yoke and collarassembly permanently attached to said arm assembly to prevent removal ofsaid weight plates, and (v) a weight adjusting pin attached by a metalcable to said frame assembly.
 2. The fitness equipment of claim 1,wherein said fitness equipment is further comprised of: a. A seatassembly comprised of (i) hollow steel members that are hot-dippedgalvanized both externally and internally and are welded together, and(ii) caps which are welded onto the exposed ends of said frame members;and b. A weather-resistant and hard rubber seat cushion attached to saidseat assembly.
 3. The fitness equipment of claim 1, wherein said fitnessequipment further comprises a deck assembly on which a user of saidfitness equipment stands.
 4. The fitness equipment of claim 1, whereinsaid fitness equipment further comprises foot plates that allow saidfitness equipment to be bolted to a surface area.
 5. The fitnessequipment of claim 1, wherein said fixed weight stack assembly furthercomprises self-lubricating oil-light bushings attached within said yokeand collar assembly and around said control rods.
 6. The fitnessequipment of claim 1 wherein said frame assembly, said arm assembly andsaid fixed weight stack assembly are manufactured as component partsand, with further attachments, can be assembled to create various formsof fitness equipment from the group consisting of a bench press, an armcurl shoulder raise, a shoulder press, a squat machine, a tricep pressand a lat pull down.
 7. The fitness equipment of claim 6 wherein saidfurther attachments include a seat assembly and a deck assembly.
 8. Thefitness equipment of claim 1 wherein said self-lubricating fittings arehigh speed bearings with grease fittings.
 9. The fitness equipment ofclaim 1 wherein said pivot rod is bolted to said arm assembly by anylon-lock nut and bolt assembly.
 10. The fitness equipment of claim 1wherein said control rods are bolted to said base assembly by nylon-locknut and bolt assembly.
 11. The fitness equipment of claim 9 and claim10, wherein said nylon-lock nut and bolt assemblies are welded.
 12. Thefitness equipment of claim 1 wherein said fixed weight stack assemblyfurther comprises a control plate which is moveably attached to theupper ends of said control rods and prevents users of said fitnessequipment from easily bending said control rods.
 13. The fitnessequipment of claim 1 wherein said arm assembly further comprises presshandles welded to said arm assembly.
 14. The fitness equipment of claim1 wherein said arm assembly further comprises a pivot arm assembly whichis pivotally attached to said arm assembly.
 15. The fitness equipment ofclaim 1 wherein said arm assembly further comprises a handle rod weldedto said arm assembly.